Page 10 of Loving the Mountain Man - Thickwood CO

Once we’re done, I take Jules’ hand in mine. Beau follows us until we reach the steps, then sits on his hind legs. “We’ll be right back, buddy. I’m just showing her the upstairs, and then we’ll be back down.” His big eyes take me in until he stands up and trots toward the couch. He looks at me, and when I nod, he jumps on the couch, making crazy circles until he finds the right spot, then he curls into a ball, closing his eyes.

“Ready to see the upstairs? I’m warning you now, though. It’s in shambles. Tools are everywhere, and we had to take the walls back to studs in the bathroom. It damn near pissed me off to see what happened to the bathroom tile.”

“I’m more than ready. You know, if I can do anything to help, I would love to get my hands dirty and dig in,” Jules says with a wink as we walk up the stairs. I allow her to lead the way just so I can see the tantalizing way her hips sway with every movement.

I groan out loud, unaware she heard me until she says over her shoulder, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, gorgeous, I’m more than okay.” We make it to the landing, and her eyes move back and forth as she sees the mess that I’ll be starting on in the next month. I wanted a little bit of time off from tracking dust and non-stop work coming and going. I’m not ashamed to say it was getting to me. In fact, right now, my bedroom is in what will be the study once it’s done.

“Oh, Hudson, this is going to be spectacular. I probably have a few new light fixtures that are reminiscent of this time period, too.” Jules bounces on the balls of her feet, giddy with excitement.

“I’ll have to come and take a look. Let me show you everything else, and believe me, there’s a whole lot left to see.” We spend the next hour scouring every inch of my home and my dreams of what it will become before we head back downstairs.

“Wow, Beau is really out like a light. There’s no moving him for a while. I’m sorry,” Jules says as she takes in her dog.

“Nothing to be sorry about. Let’s watch a movie. It’s still early,” I suggest.

“I’d like that.” Jules sits on the couch, careful not to disturb Beau. I sit down beside her, bringing her into the curve of my body as I turn on the television. I let Jules have control of what we watch. I know I’ll barely watch any TV; my sole focus will be on her, now and forever.

14

Jules

I slowly wake up, wrapped around Hudson. His arm is holding me to him, and I’m practically on top of him. My leg is hooked over his leg, my chin is in the crook of his neck, and the TV is playing softly in the background.

“Hudson,” I whisper to him, trying to wake him softly.

“Fuck, did I fall asleep on you?”

“More like we fell asleep on each other,” I state.

Instead of letting me go like I assumed he would, he brings me in closer. “Just a few more minutes, and we’ll head back to your place.” I can’t argue with him. Looking at the clock, it’s only eleven o’clock at night. We only slept for a couple of hours, and it was the best sleep I’ve ever had in my life.

“Okay.” I kiss the hollow of his throat and settle back into him, seconds later, the lids of my eyes slowly lowering.

“What is that god awful smell?” Hudson grunts seconds later.

“Oh my gosh, please tell me that’s not Beau?” I get a whiff of what Hudson is complaining about.

“Unless that came out of you because it didn’t come out of me. I think it came out of your dog, babe.”

A giggle comes out of me. It’s loud, and I can’t help but falling back on the couch and out of Hudson’s arms as my laughter grows. “Look at him. He’s fast asleep, a smile on his face, smelling his own fart without a care in the world,” I finally get out.

“Your dog’s ass stinks, Jules. I’m thinking he won’t be sleeping in bed with us, that’s for sure.” Hudson’s voice is smooth like the darkest whiskey.

“Oh, Beau, he doesn’t mean that. Don’t listen to him.” I cover Beau’s ears, crying because I’m laughing so hard.

“Jules, honey. I’m not sure he’ll even be in the same room once I get you in my bed.”

I turn and look at Hudson. There’s a desire in his eyes; his usual light brown eyes are so dark they’re nearly black. I see the way Hudson is holding himself back, taking things slower than I want or need.

My body yearns to feel his body surrounding mine. “Hudson…” My voice takes on its own husky quality.

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